“We have to see every game like a final”

Goalscorer Pedro described it as a fantastic feeling following Wednesday night’s defeat of Tottenham Hotspur and the part he played in the north Londoners’ downfall.

This Premier League home win followed on from the semi-final success over Spurs in the Carabao Cup, and the fact we subsequently went on to lose the final of that competition on penalties at the weekend made yesterday’s win all the more welcome. Pedro netted the opening goal early in the second half with the Tottenham rearguard conspiring to score an own-goal to make it 2-0 late on.

‘We needed these three points, we needed this win,’ exclaimed the happy Spaniard afterwards.

‘It was in front of our own supporters, and also it was important for us to recover our confidence and get our best feeling on the pitch and it is a very good day for us.

‘Against Manchester City and against Tottenham it was two games so difficult for us but in both games we played with good ambition, good mentality and good effort, and finally we got the best result here [against Spurs].

‘It is a great result for us after the last game. Now we have to enjoy it because every game for us is a lot of effort and we are feeling fantastic. We have to enjoy because every victory is important until the end of the season.’

Pedro also spoke of a feeling of togetherness as the remaining challenges of the season are faced.

‘We spoke a lot this week inside the dressing,’ he reported, ‘but the atmosphere in the dressing room is good. We speak with the manager, with Kepa, with Willy [Caballero], with all the players and still the situation is good for us and that is the best news. The most important thing from now until the end is to see every game like a final.

‘We play Fulham now and we must recover this week and prepare well.

‘It is our target to stay close to the top four and to fight to the end, and also to win the Europa League because you can reach the Champions League that way.’